The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1887-06-17
THE DISTRICT COURT.
Judge Francis Formally Inau:uratc
the New Subdivision.

the New subdivision.
Promptly at 10 O'Clock last Tuesday morn.
Ing Judge W. H. Francis took his seat Oh tho
bench OF the courthouse at Cooperstown for
the purpose Of opening the first term Of the
district court for the new subdivision of tho
Sixth Judicial district composed OF tho coun-
ties Of Griggs and Steele. The courtroom was
nearly filled with grand and petit jurors, per-
sons desiring to complete their citizenship, aud
spectators As the judge took his seat the
hum Of conversation ceased, and after rapping
lightly with the gayel, Judge Francis proceeded
to speak as follows:
ut is always pleasant thing to he identified
with that which indicates true progress am,
therefore, greatly pleased to be here to-day to
inaugurats and open the first district court
ever held in this enterprising county OF Griggs,
in the great Territory of Dakota.
II find here wsll-built, commodious, and
we'll arranged courthouse. Itreflects great cred
itupon those who planned itand those who built
it. The courtroom is pleasant one, and the
conveniences arranged for the court show
that tho practical ideas of mon have been
gracefully supplemented by the taste of the
ladies. desire to say that appreciate all
this.
''Courts are necessary in this and every other
land, but we should bear in mind that they
are source Of expense, aud endeaver to keep
court expenses within proper bounds. Ecou-
omy is never better nor more usefully Illustrated
than in the administration of public affairs.
Let us, then, endeavOr in this county, and in
this subdivision, to make the court expenses as
small as possible.
claws are made for the prevention and
punishment OF crime, and for the protection
Of personal and property rights. Let us SOC
that in this subdivision the laws are properly
administered, and to this end let every citizen
who loves his country, who loves the locality
III which he resides, assist in the adminisra-
tion Of justice. The glory and the strength OF
the republic consists largely in the fact that the
common ctizen-common in the right sense
and broad uso of tho term, meaning the plain
citizen not clothed with anything of fame or re-
nown, bearing upon his breast no insignia Of
Office, but who is plain, sovereign American
citizen, largely shares in its affairs and up
holds its institutions and laws by the loyal and
honest performance Of the duties of his Citizen
ship.
1--WE are here developing new country, and
one OF the pleasantest portions OF the onerous
duties devolving upon me under the law is,
that am permitted with you, and with others
living in my district, to assist in the develop
ment of this new country, and my desire is
that we may now build and 40 establish and
administer law, that when we gomo to he nd.
mittel as state and enter into the full broth.
i erhood of the Union, we shall find that thos
4 3swho were before ~ the pioneers, and VIZ
4 ourselves, have Duilded wei, and that The
state will rest securely and we'll upon tho firm
foundations OF law and justice.
:This will be the first time that this room
has ever been used for the purpose for which II
was originally intended. We dedicate temples to
the most high Law Giyer, we dedicate temples
and rooms and buildings appropriate to the
uses Of societies OF man; it is exceedingly be-
coming, therefore, that this, the Temple of
Justice, should now be dedicated to the purposes
for which it was originally intended. now,
therefore, in the use Of the high office occupy,
and recognizing its dignity, and exercising the
power and authority conferred upon NE by
law, in behalf of the people Of this locality, and
first, in the name Of the great Law Giver, and
then in the name of justice, Of truth, of moral
ity and of law, dedicate this room and this
building to the purposes Of the administration
Of justice and the holding Of courts. Let us as
brothers OF the bar let US as grand and petit ju-
rors, as Witnesses as citizens, see to it that here,
in this room, justice shall be done that here the
guilty shall be convicted if the proof warrants
it, and that the innocent are acquitted. Let US
also see to it that here men may obtain their
rights under the law. So acting this room
now dedicated to these purposes, will not have
been dedicated in vain, and every citizen may
thus become helper in the administration Of
justice.
II ought to say in justice 10 The commits
sioners of this county and the citizens Of this
county, that have not in my entire district q
more pleasant courtroom, nor more convenient
retiring rooms than these. might say more
but I have said enough to show to you my
thorough appreciation of what has been done,
and I desire now further to say that while
sitting here as judge Of this court, and recog-
nizing the dignity and usefulness of this posi-
intent with you upon the deyelopement Of this
country.
1.-THE Court is now open,"
Clerk Jorgensen was then directed to pro-
coed with the call of names summoned to ap-
pear as grand jurors, and all but two re-
sp0nded and took their seats in the jury box.
OF the number present several were found not
qualified on account of not being full citizens,
and the sheriff was instructed by the court to
summons sufficient number of qualified per-
sons to complete the panel, which be proceeded
to do, resulting, after short delay, in the EN-
paneling of the following grand jury: Alex.
Glass, Charles C. Piatt, Andrew Torpin, Sealoy
Siupkins, Andrew Husel, Thomas O. Sheldohl,
Joseph Shaw, Edgar E. Morrison, Thomas
Maynard Crane, Harold Simington, Edebert D.
Bloom, Louis A. jacobson, John Syverson,
Allen N. Adams, George N. Bathey.
The court appointed c. H. Frost as bailiff.
Three prisoners confined In the Cooperstown
Jail, Robert w. Cannon, OH the charge OF
forgery, committed in Steele county, and Will
liam Miller and Gordon Lair, charged with
grand larceny, committed in Griggs coun-
ty, were brought Into court by order OF
Judge Francis, who, after advising them that
In case either were guilty, their best plan would
be to plead guilty, and throw themselves upon
the mercy Of the court, but if, on the ntrary,
they were innocent, on no account, not even
if put upon the rack, should they so plead, de.
sired the prisoners to look upon the grand
jurors and see if there WAS any man thereon
to whom he objected, the court taking occasion
to say this was a privilege which was accorded